Re-Emergence of Yaws in the Centre Region, Cameroon: Data from Four Health's Districts

Abstract

Background: Yaws has re-emerged in Cameroon and many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Database on its epidemiology is needed to plan eradication till 2020, in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) objectives. Objective: Determine the epidemiological profile of yaws in children from 0-15 years in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Methods: On a cross-sectional study from December 2016 to January 2017, we recruited children from 0 to 15 years in five randomly selected health's districts of Centre Region of Cameroon. The sampling was multi-stratified and randomised. The diagnosis of yaws was based on clinical lesions and serology. Statistical analyses were performed using the software Epi info 7.0. Results: Overall 471 children (46% males) were enrolled from 10 communities (7 semi urban, 3 rural). The mean age was 6.37 ± 2.54. The clinical prevalence of yaws was 3.2%. The main clinical signs were: cutaneous ulcers (46%) and papilloma (40%). Most of them were located on the head and/or neck (66%); the upper (56%) and lower (36%) limbs. 46% of children were in the primary stage, while 54% in the secondary stage. 25 (5.3%) children were tested positive for Yaws. Amongst them, 5 (1%) did not present clinical lesions and 5 (1%) had a past or treated infection. 60% of the affected children were 1 to 5 years. Rural areas were more affected (56%). The community of Abem registered the largest number of cases (28%). 152 children, cases and contact included were successfully treated. Conclusion: Yaws is endemic in the Centre region of Cameroon, particularly in rural areas. Successive eradicating campaign has to be planned, to achieve WHO objectives by 2020. Funding Statement: Tests and inputs were provided by the World Health Organization. Declaration of Interests: Authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: To carry out this study, we obtained an ethical clearance from the National Committee of Ethics and Research for Human Health in Cameroon (Reference n ° 2016/08/800/CE/CNERSH/SP), and administrative authorizations from authorities of each health’s districts, health areas then communities. Before being included in the study, parents and legal tutors of children read and signed an informed consent sheet. A verbal consent to participate was obtained from those above 6 years.